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Tuesday, 23 May 2017

Royal Response to Manchester (updated)

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh pay tribute to the 22 people killed in the Manchester bomb attack

The Queen has, this afternoon, led thousands of people in a minute's silence to remember those killed in the Manchester bomb attack. The silent tribute took place at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party. Joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Eugenie of York, the Queen bowed her head to remember the 22 people killed on May 22nd 2017 by a bomber as they enjoyed an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena.

Royal tributes have come in through the day in messages of condolence and solidarity. The Queen issued a statement just hours after the attack in which she said ''the whole nation had been shocked by the death and injury of so many people, adults and children, who had just been enjoying a concert''. The Queen paid tribute to the emergency services, who had responded within moments of the attack and to others who helped those affected by the attack. The Queen said ''I would like to express my admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded with humanity and compassion to this act of barbarity''. It was signed, as always, Elizabeth R.

The Prince of Wales issued a statement on behalf of himself and the Duchess of Cornwall. He said they were ''profoundly shocked to learn of the truly dreadful event'' and added ''that such a large number of people, including so many young concert-goers, lost their lives or have suffered so much in this appalling atrocity is deeply distressing and fills us with intense sadness''.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry's statement came out in the afternoon. It was issued for all of them by Prince William who said they had been shocked and saddened by the attack. William also said ''we also send our thanks to the people of Manchester for their display of strength, decency and community that is an example to the world.'' The Countess of Wessex took part in a moment of silence remembrance on her visit today to the London Stock Exchange.

The King and Queen of Spain also observed a minute's silence for the victims of the Manchester attack as they attended an engagement in Barcelona. Within hours of the attack, the Casa Real Twitter account put out a statement saying that the rule of law would never surrender to terrorism, adding Spain stood firm with Manchester and the United Kingdom.

The flags at the Royal Palace in Brussels flew at half mast. A short statement was issued on Twitter saying that Belgium showed solidarity with the United Kingdom and respect for the victims of the attack.

The King of the Netherlands' statement, like many of the royal tributes, spoke of the grief being felt by many families and said the attack has ''deeply touched us all''. Willem-Alexander paid further tributes during a speech at a diplomatic reception in Amsterdam later in the day.

Prince Albert II of Monaco sent a letter to the Queen expressing his condolences and those of his family and the people of Monaco, adding ''our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families of the innocent victims of this new act of violence.''

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King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden's message of condolence to the Queen described the attack as ''another on the open and tolerant society that we all want to live in'' and added ''it is important we stand together against this unimaginable evil''.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark sent condolences to the Queen, too, saying that she had received the news with profound shock and sadness and added that her ''heartfelt sympathy is with you and the British people.''